The roof of your house is the first line of defense against the weather. It is there to protect your home from rain, snow, wind and hail. A well-constructed roof will do this job with aplomb and your home will remain watertight and safe from the elements. However, water has a nasty habit of finding any weaknesses in a roof structure and in no time at all, a tiny little hole will become a massive problem. So with winter on its way, here is a quick guide to making sure your roof is weatherproof and capable of withstanding whatever Mother Nature throws at it.

Make a Visual Inspection

During the summer, you probably won’t give the roof a second thought because you will be way too busy soaking up the sun and enjoying the good weather. However, once summer turns into fall, it is sensible to spend a couple of hours walking around your property and paying close attention to what’s going on at the top.

Look for loose shingles and slipped tiles. Lightweight shingles can easily become dislodged during strong winds and all it takes is one loose shingle to cause a significant amount of water damage.

Check the gutters for cracks and blockages. Cracks are not as serious as blockages, but they can still cause water to cascade down the side of the building, which in time will cause damp.

Look out for cracked lead flashing around chimneys and gable ends. Even hairline cracks can lead to water leaks.

Check for any damaged pointing along ridge tiles or gable ends. Cracked and broken cement will allow water entry to the underlying timbers.

Other problems include a build-up of debris in corners, which can trap moisture and cause deterioration of roof materials. Flashing and seals around windows and skylights are also vulnerable to damage over time, and if left untreated water will find its way in. Flat roofs are susceptible to ponding water, which is seriously damaging if left. In colder climates, ice dams cause water to back up beneath shingles.

Identifying the Source of a Leak

Often a dripping sound is the first sign that something is not quite right. You might become aware of a faint drip, drip, drip, or you might spot a large wet patch on the bedroom ceiling late one night. If there is a hole right above the leak, it shouldn’t be too difficult to spot, but usually what happens is that water travels down the route of least resistance, so the leak might be somewhere else entirely. The leak might not even be roof related, so your first course of action should be a detailed inspection of the roof cavity to try and identify the source of the leak.

Proper Roof Maintenance

Roofs need regular maintenance and if you spot any problems, make sure you call upon the services of a reputable roofing contractor such as http://sugarlandroofingservices.com/. Companies like Sugar Land Roofing have many years of experience and will help you identify any leaks before they become an expensive problem – and with winter on the way, you can’t afford to take any short cuts.